Baseball cap and method

ABSTRACT

In a first embodiment, a baseball style cap is provided having a bill that includes indentations or cut-out sections on either side thereof, where the indentions are located adjacent a wearer&#39;s forehead. The indentation portions are positioned to allow the baseball cap to be pulled down low over a wearer&#39;s face while the wearer is also wearing eyewear, allowing the upper corners of the eyewear to be positioned within the indentations, so that the bill of the cap will not contact and provide downward pressure on the eyewear when the cap is pulled down low on a wearer&#39;s head. Additionally, the indentations on the bill allow the wearer to enjoy a greater field of peripheral vision, while still providing protection and shade from the sun.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sports hats, baseball caps, and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a baseball style cap that has been modified and adapted to be worn together with eye glasses, sunglasses, or other eye wear. Many people, including professional baseball athletes and fishermen, wear baseball caps and glasses at the same time, for various reasons. Baseball caps have a particular shape that is designed to shade the wearer's eyes from the sun. Unfortunately, when the wearer is forced to look upwardly, or at various angles, the bill of the baseball cap does not always provide such shade, and it is necessary to wear sunglasses as an extra measure of protection from the sun. Additionally, many baseball cap wearers also are required to wear eye glasses to assist with their vision. One disadvantage to wearing a baseball cap in combination with sunglasses or other types of eye wear is that the bill of the baseball cap sometimes comes into contact with an upper portion of the eye wear, forcing the eye wear downwardly on the wearer's nose, and exerting pressure thereon. Generally speaking, the contact between the eyewear and the bill of the baseball cap occurs at the upper and outermost portions of the eyewear (adjacent the outer portions of a wearer's eyebrows).

Additionally, there are times when it is desirable for a wearer to pull the baseball cap down low on the head, particularly when playing outside sports, such as baseball and golf. It is common, as well, for baseball players and golfers, for instance, to wear sunglasses with baseball caps, and to pull the caps low to keep the sun out of their eyes when chasing fly balls or lining up for the next golf shot. Further, it is desirable for a wearer to pull a baseball style cap down low during windy conditions, in order to prevent the cap from flying off the user's head.

One major disadvantage of pulling a baseball cap low on a wearer's head is that it limits the wearer's peripheral vision. When a baseball player is chasing a fly ball with his baseball cap pulled low on his head, his peripheral vision is limited, so that he may not see the other player rushing directly at him to catch the same fly ball. A golfer trying to line up a long putt on the green may have a difficult time lining up the putt from a distance if his baseball cap is pulled down low.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a baseball cap that would allow the wearer to enjoy an increased field of peripheral vision, particularly when the baseball cap is pulled low on a wearer's head. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a modified baseball cap that included a bill which would provide a better fit on a wearer's face and head while the wearer is also wearing eyewear. Further, it would be desirable to provide a baseball cap that could be pulled low over a wearer's eyes without coming into contact with the wearer's eyewear, and exerting downward pressure on the wearer's nose, ears, and face.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes, in a first embodiment, a baseball style cap having a bill that includes indentations or cut-out sections on either side thereof, where the indentions are located adjacent a wearer's forehead. The indentation portions are positioned to allow for greater peripheral vision, and for the baseball cap to be pulled down low over a wearer's face while the wearer is also wearing eyewear so that the upper corners of the eyewear may be positioned within the indentations, and so that the bill of the cap will not contact and provide downward pressure on the eyewear when the cap is pulled down low on a wearer's head.

The present invention also includes a method of forming a baseball cap with a cut-out section or indentation of either side of the bill.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a baseball cap having indentations or cut-out portions on either side of the bill thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a baseball cap having indentations or cut-out portions on either side of the bill, and further showing a pair of sunglasses disposed thereunder;

FIG. 3 is a top view of one embodiment of a baseball cap having indentations or cut-out portions on either side of the bill, wherein the indentation is shown as a V-shape;

FIG. 4 is a top view of one embodiment of a baseball cap having indentations or cut-out portions on either side of the bill, wherein the indentation is shown as having a shape with 3 straight edges;

FIG. 5 is a top view of one embodiment of a baseball cap having indentations or cut-out portions on either side of the bill, wherein the indentation is shown as a semi-circular shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the baseball cap of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The baseball cap 2 includes a crown member 4 and a bill member 6. The bill member includes a pair of indentations 8 or cut-out portions on either side thereof, as shown.

These indentations 8 provide greater peripheral vision and allow the cap to be worn low on a wearer's head while the wearer is also wearing eyewear, such as eye glasses, sunglasses and the like, without the bill member coming into contact with the eyewear. This arrangement prevents the bill member of the baseball cap from exerting a downward pressure on the eyewear, which is both uncomfortable and distracting to the wearer.

FIG. 2 illustrates how the baseball cap having indentions disposed on either side of the bill member 6 may be worn in combination with sunglasses 10 so that the bill member does 6 not come into contact with the sunglasses 10. The indentations 8 are positioned so that the upper edges of the sunglasses 10 are not forced downwardly on the wearer's face or nose, which causes discomfort and may interfere with a wearer's ability to see clearly through the sunglasses or other eyewear.

The indentations 8 may be formed into any desired shape, and examples of various shapes are shown in FIGS. 3-5. The baseball cap of the present invention may be manufactured similarly to other baseball caps that are currently known in the art and commercially available, provided that the bill includes the indentations as described herein.

Alternatively, a commercially available baseball cap may be modified and adapted to include the indentations or cut-outs. The bill member may be cut on either side to include the indentations in any desired shape, so long as the result is that the bill member does not come into contact with, or provide downward pressure on, the upper and outer portions of the eyewear (adjacent to a wearer's outermost portions of his or her eyebrows). Preferably, when modifying an existing baseball cap, a stitching, fabric or adhesive is attached around the cut edges of the indentation to prevent any unraveling of the fabric or other fraying of the bill member material.

It should be understood that various cuts and styles may be employed, as desired, so long as the baseball cap includes the indentations for improved fit in combination with eyewear. Additionally, one embodiment may include indentations cut specifically for goggles having a band that wraps around the back of a user's head.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 

1. A baseball cap comprising: a crown member; and a bill member attached to said crown member, wherein said bill member includes an indentation on each side thereof.
 2. The baseball cap set forth in claim 1, wherein said indentations have a similar shape forming mirror images of each other on either side of said bill member.
 3. The baseball cap set forth in claim 2, wherein said indentations are formed into a generally V-shape.
 4. The baseball cap set forth in claim 2, wherein said indentations are formed into a semi-circular shape.
 5. The baseball cap set forth in claim 2, wherein said indentations include a shape having three generally straight edges. 